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Chisago County Commissioners have set the wheels in motion on a study of the interchange in Wyoming, in the vicinity of Viking Blvd. and I-35.  This transportation artery is poised to become much busier and prominent as two large tracts of land get developed,  if all goes as proposed in preliminary layouts.

The proposals have gone through their Environmental Worksheet Assessment phase.  Wyoming City Administrator Robb Linwood says the developments have a long ways to go yet,  but there are certain basic city services that will need to be provided at some point to that quadrant of the freeway interchange.
For example— the city undoubtedly needs to get water service from the new tower, under the freeway, to Kettle River Blvd. and then south to Viking Blvd.   

The engineering firm WSB was hired for the study by the County Board for approximately $61,000.

The schedule calls for concept level alternatives for modifying and improving the area.  In a letter to the county, WSB traffic senior project manager, Erik Seiberlich, said an initial coordination meeting will be scheduled for late January, where WSB presents a tentative study schedule that will be updated monthly.  The stated goal for Wyoming is to facilitate growth and provide a safe, efficient infrastructure.  

Administrator Linwood told the Press that at this point the city officially has no design preferences whatsoever, and Wyoming is eager to see what the traffic counts, flow and other data point to.

The freeway interchange is already home to a recreational biking/hiking trail, several businesses and is access to a manufacturing/industrial campus to the east. The smaller of the two tracts could become sought-after commercial freeway frontage  if done correctly.  The larger appears to be designated for housing. (See graphic above.)

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